News: Microelectronics
3 December 2024
ST supplying silicon carbide power modules to Renault for Ampere’s EVs
As the next step in their strategic co-operation, STMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland has reached a multi-year agreement from 2026 to supply its silicon carbide (SiC) power modules to France-based car maker Renault Group as part of the collaboration with Renault’s firm Ampere (which designs, develops and manufactures full electric vehicles) on a powerbox for the inverter of its electric powertrain.
Ampere and ST worked together on optimizing the power module for the best performance in the e-powertrain, leveraging Ampere’s expertise in EV technology and ST’s expertise in power electronics.
The powerbox combines three SiC-based power modules, an excitation module (which provides the necessary electrical excitation to the motor or generator for controlling the magnetic field within the motor), and a cooling baseplate designed to dissipate heat from the back side of the power module (simplifying the thermal management and cooling process).
The powerbox is designed for optimum performance-size ratio across Ampere’s line-up, on 400V battery EV vehicles and for Segment C-EVs with 800V batteries, enabling greater autonomy and faster charging (since 800V is one of the key levers to achieve the 10-80% quick charge in 15 minutes or less).
The agreement aligns with Ampere’s strategy to master the entire value chain of power electronics for its EV e-powertrain, particularly by working further upstream with its partners and ensuring the best efficiency at each step.
“By working upstream together, we were able to optimize and secure the supply of key components for our electric powertrains, to offer high-performance EVs with increased range and optimized charging time,” says Philippe Brunet, senior VP Powertrain & EV engineering, at Ampere.
“With the optimization of these higher-efficient products and solutions to meet Ampere’s performance requirements, and our vertically integrated silicon carbide supply chain, we are supporting Ampere’s strategy for its next generation of electric powertrain,” says Michael Anfang, ST’s executive VP sales & marketing for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
ST unveils fourth-generation silicon carbide power technology for next-gen EV traction inverters
ST to design, develop and make SiC- and GaN-based transistors, packages and modules for Renault
